Warren Bank

The approach to the flowery chalk grassland of Warren Bank offers stunning panoramic views taking in the Thames and Berkshire Downs

Amazing flowers

This small reserve is a small relic of the chalk grasslands that once covered much of the Chilterns. Clustered bellflower, pyramidal orchid, large thyme and deadly nightshade are among the wild flowers which flourish in the three paddocks. The insect-mimicking bee orchid can be found here. On the continent it is pollinated by bees. Male bees are fooled into thinking the flower's velvet-textured lip is a female and try to mate with it. Sadly, the right species of bee does not occur in Britain, so the bee orchid is self-pollinated here.

The noise of insects

The striking machine-gun call of the great green bush-cricket can be heard from June onwards. Butterflies recorded in this reserve include marbled white, dark green fritillary and green hairstreak.

Park at Hailey on hard verge 0.5 miles from reserve. Take the bridleway uphill and continue on the track which goes into Bixmoor Wood. The track bends left at the end of Bixmoor Wood. At this point there is a short track on the right which leads to a metal gate at the entrance to a field, which may have sheep or cattle in. Cross the field, going south, heading towards woodland. Skirt the woodland edge for approximately 100m until you reach the entrance gate to the reserve.
Alternative route from Homer Farm, Ipsden Heath.
Follow the track from Homer Farm. This takes you along the edge of a wood, on your right. At the point where the track bears right and into Bixmoor Wood, there is a short track on the left which leads to a metal gate at the entrance to a field, which may have sheep or cattle in. Cross the field, going south, heading towards woodland. Skirt the woodland edge for approximately 100m until you reach the entrance gate to the reserve.